Metal or composition collapsible fireproof awning



Nov. 17, 1931. w. J, HIGMAN METAL OR COMPOSITION COLLAPSIBLE FIREPROOF AWNING Filed April 20. 1931 3 smeg-sheet 1 Nov. 17, 1931. w. -J. HIGMAN METAL 0R COMPOSITION COLLAPSIBLE FIREPROOF AWNING Filed April 2o, 1931 5 Sheena-sheetA 2 Nov. 17, 1931. w. J. HIGMAN METAL OR COMPOSITION COLLAPSIBLE FIREPROOF AWNING Filed April 20. 1931 5 Sheets-SheeI 3 Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM .1. msnm, or' DENVER, ooLonAno :aman on. COMPOSITION coLL'ArsmLE rmnrnoor warme Application nica mi 2o, 1931. smal 110.531,511.

My invention relates to improvements in metal or composition collapsible fire-proof awnings.

The main object of the inventlonis to provide an awning made of a compositlon or of thin sheet metal or any other suitable material and which comprises a number of swinging sections arranged one within another, each section, when in open pos1t1on being supported by the section immedlately above it, and the uppermost sectlon bemg supported by a permanent housing or frame whlch 1s secured to the frame of the wmdow, each section being adapted to engage. and l1ft the section above it, when the awning 1s belng closed or collapsed so that the sections are successively swung upward, one wlthm another, until all of the sections enter the p ermanent housing frame, operating cords be1ng secured to the innermost section, wh1ch pass over suitable pulleys and terminate 1n a hand cord.

Further, to provide a plurality of awningl sections arranged one within another, each comprising opposite side members connected at their outer ends by a flat plate or strip, each set of side members being pivotally supported at their inner ends, the rear edge of each plate being upwardly curved into hook shape andthe forward edge being rolled outwardly and provided with inwardly turned hooks, whereby, in opening, the inner hooked edge of one plate engages the\ hooks on the outer edge of the overlying plate, and in closing the rolled edge of one plate engages the hooks on the overlying plate, so that each section acts to lift the next overlapping section.

Further, to provide an awning which not only lasts for a much longer period than the canvas'awnings in present use, but which may be painted from time to time so as to present a pleasing appearance.

` These o jects are accomplished by the character of awning illustrated in the accompanyin drawings in'whichzig. 1 is a ront view of the improved awning as it appears when open and secured within a window frame.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the awnin as it appears when closed or colla sed, an detached from a window frame.

ig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through 55 a ortion of one of the awning sections.

ig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion oi one of the awning sections.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through the inner or hinge end of one of the side mem- @"0 bers of an awning section, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing portions of two sections, in hooked engagement and showing a slight modification 1n the hook. v 65 Referring to the accompanying drawings The numeral 1 designates a window frame,

' and 2 and 3 the upper and lower sashes respectively. The letter A refers to the improved awning and B to a frame which incloses the folded or collapsed awning, and which also limits the outward movement of the outermost section of the awning in a manner to be presently described.

The frame B comprises a pair of side members 4, which are connected at their upper ends b a cross plate 5. The cross plate 5 is secure to a cross bar 6 of the window frame and inclines downwardly and outwardly at Si? an an'gle of about for -ive degrees, and the side members 4 taper om the cross plate to their lower ends, which are supported on pins or bolts 7 which pass through U-brackets 8, having threaded stems 9, which are secured 8 5 to angle brackets 10, which are secured to the side members of the window frame, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The lower edge of the cross plate 5 is rolled, as shown at 11, to stiien it and is further 9 strengthened by a tube 12, which is inserted in the roll. Upon the under side of the rolled edge portion of the cross plate are secured two or more short metal strips 13, the outer ends of which are inwardly bent to form hooks 14, the purpose of which will later appear.

. their inner ends which are pivotally supported on the pins 7. of the U-brackets 8 previously referred to. rIhese side strips are stiffened by folding over their edges, and additional stiiness and thickness is given their lower end portions, by short reinforcing strips 23, which are held in'place by the folded edges of the side strips, as clearly shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6. The forward edge of each cross plate 22 is upwardly rolled, as shown at 24, to stiffen it and tubes 25 are inserted 1n the rolls, which further stien them and thus prevent bending or sagging of these edges, particularly in the case of very wide awnings. The opposite edges of the cross plates are v bent or rolled into hook shape as shown at 26 and two or more narrow strips 27 are secured to the inner side of each cross plate and the rear ends of these strips are bent around the hooked edges 26, so as to reinforce them while their forward ends are bent to form hooks 28. which lie back of the rolled edges 24. In Figure 1` of the drawings, each cross plate is provided with three of .the hooked strips 27 one near each end and one in the center, but a greater number may be employed in the case of wide awnings, if desired. When the awning is open, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sections are supported in the following manner The hooked edge 26 of the outer section 20, engages the hooks 14 on the lower edge of the cross plate 5 of the frame B; the hooked edge 26, of the section 19, engages the hooks 28, on the section 20; the hooked edge 26 of the section 18 engages the hook 28 on the section 19, and so on, in this manner to the last section 15.

The side members of each section, beginning with the section 20, slightly overlap the side members of the next succeeding section, so as to leave no open spaces between the sections, and washers 29 are placed between the pivot-ed ends of the said side members, to prevent frictional contact ofone member with another. Eyelets 30 are secured to the cross plate of the inside section 15 and cords 31 are secured 'to these eyelets and are passed up over pulleys 32 which have a swinging connection with the side members of the window frame, near the upper ends of said members,

and from the pulleys, the cords pass respectively over pulleys 33, which are secured to the central portion of the cross bar 6 of the window frame, after which, they unite in a single cord 31A, which extends down far enough to be conveniently grasped, and a cleat 34 is secured to the window sill over which the cord 31A may be wound to hold the awning in a closed position.

In narrow windows, the pulleys 33 may he dispensed with, and the cords 31 may extend directly down lfrom the pulleys on the sides of the window frame and may be secured to cleats at the lower ends of said frame. Any other arrangement of the cords and pulleys, however, may be employed. Cords 35 are also secured to the eyelets 30, and when the awnings are open, these cords are secured at their opposite ends to cleats 36 on the window frame, thereby preventing either rattling or upward movement of the sections, due to wind.

When the cord 31A is drawn upon to close the awning, the lower section 15 is swung up until its rolled edge 24 engages the hook 28 on the next succeeding section 16, and the two sections 15 and 16 are then lifted simultaneously until the rolled edge 24 on the section 16 engages the hooks 28 on the next section 17, and so on in this manner, each section lifting the section above it, until all of the sections are swung back into the frame B, as shown in Figure 3, and the cord 31A is wound upon the cleat 34, to secure the awning in closed o r collapsed position.

The cross plate of the frame B as well as those of the sections 18, 19 and 20, are preferably made of thicker material than those of the other sections, in order to withstand the direct pounding force of large hail stones. The cross plate 5 of the frame B is provided with vent openings 37, which are formed by cutting tongues 38in the plate, and bending the tongues up in the manner shown most clearly in Figure 2. The side plate 21 of the several sections are also provided with a plurality of vent holes 39. A space is left be' tween the engaging edges of each two cross plates, as will be most clearly understood by reference to Figure 7, and these -spaces permit the passage of wind and thus relieve the cross plates of the wind pressure, and the vent openings 37 and 39 will permit the escape of wind from beneath the awning. They also cause an air circulation under and through the awning, thus continuously carrying olf hot air from beneath the awning.

In Figure 7, I show two short hooked strips 27A and 27B instead of the single strip 27, as in the other views, but` they serve the same purpose.

The improved awning overcomes many of the objectionable features of the canvas -awnings in present use, in that it is not subject to injury from sudden wind storms or from the careless throwing of lighted matches or cigar ends from windows above it, and also because it can be painted when desired so as always to present a neat and attractive appearance.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. An awning of the character described, comprising a plurality of sheet metal sections fitting one within another each comprising side members adapted to be pivotally supported at their inner ends, and provided with Ventilating apertures adjacent their outer ends, their outer ends being connected by cross plates, the rear edges of said plates being bent to form outward abut-ments, and their forward edges having inward abutments and outwardly rolled edges. a yoke shaped supporting frame surrounding said sections and having a stop to engage the outward abutment on the outermost section to limit its forward swinging movement and Ventilating apertures in its cross member, the forward movement of each succeeding section being limited by the engagement of its outward abutment with the inward abutment of the preceding section, the rolled edge of each section engaging the inward abutment of the next succeeding section when the innermost section is swung in a reverse direction.` to a vertical position, whereby each section is swung into the neXt succeeding section.

2. An awning comprising a plurality of telescoping sections. each comprising side members adapted to be pivoted at their inner ends` their outer ends being connected by cross plates, the rear edges of which are upwardly and outwardly curved into hook form, while their forward edges are upwardly rolled` and inwardly turned hook members on the under side of said forward edges. said side members being reinforced at their inne end portions.

3. An awning comprising a plurality of telescoping sections. each comprising a yoke shaped member` the edges of the side members of which are folded to stili'en said members. reinforcing strips on the. inner end portions of said side members. which are clamped by said folded edges, the rear edge of the cross member of said section being outwardly bent into hook shape, its forward edge being outwardly rolled. /and inwardly bent hook members secured to said cross member back of said rolled edge, the outer portions of said side members being provided with a plurality of Ventilating apertures.

In testimony whereof, I aiX my signature.

WILLAM J. HIGMAN. 

